Should you buy a 2021 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade or wait for a redesign?

The NEW 4Runner Limited has been taken to the next level by Toyota. On the outside of the Nightshade Edition you will find blacked out 20in wheels, dark chrome finishes and unique running boards. On the inside there is the updated infotainment system and special interior materials. Under the hood is the tried and true 4.0L V6 that produces 270HP & mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Edition the SUV to buy or wait?
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[bbpearl]

4Runner, that girl who was crazy hot in her 20s. She's in her 40s now and not as hot looking as the newest thing on the block. But she's still the same girl, loyal, and reliable. She's a keeper.

[dmack]

I really like the traditional styling of the 4Runner. It's reliability is top tier.

[jimmy]

One of the only “SUVs” that still looks like a real SUV. And reliability is unmatched.

[kareemoadama]

After watching this review, I'm finishing the paperwork tomorrow, and will have my Nightshade Edition by Tuesday. You made it happen Joe. Another spectacular shooting from Lori.God bless.

[naseemjouhari]

This is literally the question I asked myself, with exact model. Thank you for this review!

[Mardini]

Almost 6 months with my 2021 Nightshade. I finally could understand real love!

[dexterm]

Been loving your dedication since 16k subscribers, it never gets old!

[Benscarreviews]

Car King bringing that daily awesomeness. Thank you for bringing a smile to so many faces and sharing so much knowledge. You create enthusiasts!

[adama]

Can't go wrong with the 4Runner! No replacement for displacement. Definitely a familiar place to sit. Thank you Lori for the great views of this black beauty!

[Wild]

For the record, the cargo space holds 2, 442 snicker bars. I counted.

[aky]

We own two 4runners. 5th gen. 2016 TRD PRO with Part-time 4WD, system and a 2015 Limited with the full time 4wd ( comes with center LSD and rear locking diff). They offer the limited with a 4x2, like this model, but really, it defeats the purpose of having a vehicle of this caliber. Make sure you know exactly what drive trains your getting and it's limitations. Two important facts that get overlooked about this vehicle is that 1-it's still made in Japan and 2-XReas Sport Suspension. It's how Toyota is able to control quality control these vehicles. I challenge anyone to find a video showcasing how they make these vehicles in Japan. You won't, you'll only find a picture/video collage by someone. Toyota won't allow anyone to record for fear of trade secrets leaking out lol. seem to always forget to the mention that the limited trim offers the X-Reas Sport Suspension. Why I love X Reas Sport Suspension is that it's got significantly reduced body roll, auto leveling ride height, especially when your towing and incase of an emergency sharp turn on highway to avoid something, those massive 20 inch rims and suspension that stiffens make it very confidence inspiring. 1-when your making turns, you can place your wallet on the dash, and it won't slide. Yes, you heard correct, how it does this wizardry is quite simply, it's got a sealed criss-cross system of pipes and at the center of the 4runner on both sides is a reservoir hydraulic fluid canister, about 10 inch long ( I don't remember off the top of my head), so rather than offering a system that's electronical that forces air or fluid to be adjusted based on what the computer says, it uses simple physics! once one side has added pressure, the 4runner will immediately level out and reduce the pressure because the oil on the side will come to the low side and push it up! genius and simple. added to it the large 20 inch rims and you can make the argument for noise and ride quality. Also the Limited has the option of having a third row, which is what the is on our limited. But Toyota did a magnificent job of tuning the suspension. When your towing it's also the same story, there's very little squat in the tail on the limited vs the TRD Pro But remember running bilstein shocks on the trd pro and imo they're very floaty and I feel that the newer set up from Fox that current TRD has are better. When it comes to traction control for snow and rain. IMO ( I"m no expert here, just a guy who's in love with his runners and talking from experience) with out a shadow of a doubt, the full time 4wd drive. At the end of the day my TRD Pro is very capable. but it's lack of third row seating, full time 4wd, ventilated seats, lack of sun roof, and floaty ride makes it more suitable for the purist, not to take away anything because it's by no means saying it's a bad ride. It just not as easy to drive as the limited on highway speeds if your spouse wants to use it. If it rains, snows, you have family, that's the car you want. it also has DAC and Hill control and despite it not having the crawl control feature, I found that I've been able to replicate exactly what my trd pro does when crawling out of terrain it's stuck in. Where the TRD pro Shines is with a driver who understands who to use 4wd drive selective terrain, crawl control, etc. BTW I daily my 4runner TRD I average 120 miles a day 5 days a week, I've put over 110k. The limited only has 41k. Gas mileage is terrible on both, city driving i'm down to 13-15 on both. Maybe 1 or two gallons more on my TRD because it's a 4wd. So there's that. to consider. Highway long distance, your looking at early to mid 20's. If your not loaded, or going up hills. Towing, I get about low teens to mid teens towing close to 5k which includes car weight, passengers, tongue weight and trailer. if I"m not going up hill. SHockingly though, I've gone up some steep grades at almost full max tow and it never broke a sweat, i was even able to pass slower vehicle and it had more pull at highways speed. So I'm not sure if toyota does some trickery with tuning, but It's not the same animal when it's towing. It's very powerful.

[patricklogan]

Literally just bought a 2021 Nightshade... now seeing all the details I missed while purchasing. Very happy so far.

[RTchristine]

Purchased my 2021 nightshade in blizzard pearl back in December. The black chrome is absolutely stunning on the white! It was a big upgrade from my Rav4, totally worth every penny! And the 15 speaker JBL sounds amazing! ♡

[robertcorrea]

“Or a Filet-O-Fish, I don’t know who eats those” 🤣 Joe’s content is the best. Keep it up man! 👍🏼

[pedromaze]

I love the camera work. As always. And Joe always give a superb review.

[DaGratest]

Joe you and Lori have done it again. I live up North in the Tri-State area and you solved what I really need to buy. I love the Old School nostalgic look of the 4Runner Nightshade and with the flooding and snow we get here I now know what I need and like most of all. Love you and Lori to infinity bro, God bless.

[luisurbieta]

Hi Zonkman, love the videos but I get it, everybody wants beauty and everybody wants everything to be positive but hey, beauty's in the eye of the beholder and every car builder makes mistakes no matter what situation you go through, perfection will never come to fruition. Thanks Lory for these great shots!

[TheProPokemonPlayer]

I've got a 2019 nightshade and I absolutely love it

[thesenpaival]

My man Raiti is the man of the people. You convinced me to get a trd pro, currently waiting for my order to come in! Sadly I’ll have to wait till the first week of may :/ keep up the work my friend you’re killing it !

[onlinealias]

I saw one of these nightshade 4Runners driving down the road the other day, and it looks way cooler in person than on video